Gary Goldschneider - The Astrology of You and Me: How to Understand and Improve Every Relationship in Your Life

Copyright 2009, 2018 by Gary Goldschneider

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Number: 2017951343

ISBN9781683690429

Ebook ISBN9781683691150

Ebook design adapted from printed book design by Andie Reid

Illustrations by Camille Chew

Production management by John J. McGurk

Photograph 2009 by Louise Whelan

Quirk Books

215 Church Street

Philadelphia, PA 19106

quirkbooks.com

v5.2

a

This book is dedicated to my seven childrenAndrew, Aron, Isak, Sara, Anton, Ariana, and Isadorawho gave me my first real-life lessons in psychology

Gary Goldschneider

Born : May 22

Sign : Gemini

One rainy afternoon in October 2007, I found myself once again in my hometown of Philadelphia and gave David Borgenicht, president and publisher of Quirk Books, a quick call to say I was in town. He immediately invited me over, and soon I was treading on the familiar cobblestone streets of Old City, ringing the doorbell of this unusual publishing house. Ushered in by a receptionist, I waited for David and was immediately attracted by the awards his Worst-Case Scenario books had won, which were framed and prominently displayed on the wall. David and I had never met, but we had been introduced through a mutual friend, Rick Lightstone, of the American Book Center in Amsterdam, where Rick and I both live. I was impressed by the cordial yet relaxed work atmosphere at Quirk. David welcomed me in and offered me a seat at a long table in his conference room, across from library shelves containing a selection of books that included my own Secret Language of Birthdays.

Rick had suggested cooking up a new book project with David. As if reading my mind, David immediately encouraged me to share any ideas for my next full-length work. I mentioned a few that had been running around in my head, and after carefully noting them down, David jumped right in:

I have an idea for a new book. It would be an astrology book about the other guy.

The other guy? I asked, puzzled.

Yes, he replied. You know, in the nineties it was all me-me-me. People were crazy about books that told them about themselves, and your Secret Language of Birthdays really locked into that trend. What I have in mind is a kind of astrological handbook that tells you how to approach other people by their astrological sign, essentially how to handle a Capricorn, Leo, Gemini, etc., in almost any area of life.

Six months later, in April 2008, David stopped to see me in Amsterdam on his way to the London Book Fair. Seated across from me at a table in Caf Luxembourg on the Spui, he outlined the major sections of the book that he and his staff had fleshed out: Work, Love, and Friends and Family. Under each category were subheads like Libra Boss, Aquarius Lover, and Gemini Friend, and underneath each of those were another six subsections addressing such issues as Asking the Libra Boss for a Raise, Sex and the Aquarius Lover, and Borrowing Money from the Gemini Friend. The total number of words this project would entailaround 170,000 to 180,000was daunting, but since each of the three Secret Language books had totaled about half a million words, we both knew I could do it.

I foundand still findDavids original idea a brilliant one. People today are more interested in the other person, and maybe just a tad less interested in themselves. Only later would I realize that this was the book I had always wanted to write and, in fact, had presented to publishers as my sun sign book. I felt it was time, at last, for another important book in this genre, one that had been curiously absent in this popular field since the 1960s and Linda Goodmans groundbreaking book Sun Signs. This dovetailing of our mutual ideas and interests has been a satisfying stimulus to writing this volume. I thank David and the entire staff at Quirk who have made our mutual creation such a wonderful experience. I do not think I have ever enjoyed writing a book as much as I have this one.

Gary Goldschneider

Amsterdam

November 2008

Work

ARIES

March 21April 20

The Aries Boss

Aries bosses are born leaders, so there will be little doubt as to their wishes concerning the direction the group should take. Explicit, clear, and demanding, these fiery individuals will ask for every ounce of commitment and energy their employees can muster, and then some. Because they are so comfortable in this role, they are eager to make decisions and see them implemented. True individuals, they naturally respect individuality in others and are surprisingly open to and even expectant of their employees acting on their own, once they understand what is expected of them.

STRENGTHS	WEAKNESSES	INTERACTIVE STYLE
Inspiring	Unheeding	Confrontational
Dynamic	Stressed	Commanding
Trailblazing	Unaware	Blunt

Asking the Aries Boss for a Raise

Aries bosses will probably already have anticipated you in this regard. Most likely they will offer you a raise (if you deserve it) on their own without your even asking. However, this also implies that if you need to ask for a raise you will probably be turned down. Aries bosses enjoy being magnanimous, but only if it is warranted. They are particularly impressed by the dramatic deal you may have pulled off, one that gives new spark and direction to the group. Less impressed by steady or plodding behavior, they may overlook the faithful employee who has served without attracting notice.

Breaking Bad News to the Aries Boss

Make sure you wear your crash helmet. Aries bosses are likely to fly off the handle (dont rule out yelling, screaming, or throwing nearby objects) after an initial ominous silence. A deepening red complexion may be the second warning sign. Seismic outbursts are likely to last a few minutes but are usually gone, like summer storms, rather quickly. One alternative is simply to hand the Aries boss the disturbing report in writing and then make a quick retreat.

Arranging Travel and/or Entertainment for the Aries Boss

Aries bosses are very pleased when you arrange things exactly as they would have themselves and much less than pleased when you do not. Thus, getting to know their special desires and wishes is essential to your success. Since organization is not usually their strong suit, they may depend on you entirely to have things perfectly worked out. Keep in mind that they love the grand gesture and will spare no expense to make themselves look good. Particularly observant of that little touch that indicates your sensitivity to their preferences, Aries bosses would look favorably upon those who go the extra mile, so you would do well to alert the restaurant, hotel, or travel agent of your bosss preferences beforehand.